Vote recorder



1933- I E. B. HOWELL 38,4 VOTE RECQRDER Filed Nov. 27, 1928 s Sheet s-Sheet 1 DEC. 5, 1933. HOWELL VQ E RECORDER Filed NOV. 27, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 bb NW Dec. 5, 1933. E. B. HOWELL 1,938,488

VOTE RECORDER Filed Nov. 27, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet :5

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nnn M M H if? 74 1;: -*W V 3 43- 88 l 362 5 1 a Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application November 27, 1928 Serial No. 322,145

6 Claim.

This invention relates to what may be termed a vote register and concerns a machine for facilitating the casting, recording and counting of votes at elections. I An object of the invention is to provide a machine which will make an accurate and permanent record upon a recording medium such as a roll of paper which is to be removed from the machine after the voting is completed and placed upon a suitable counting machine which will accurately and mechanically count the votes recorded thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which has a plurality of keys adapted to be manually set by the voter which keys represent persons running for office or propositions being voted upon and to provide a construction associated with the keys which will accurately form perforations in the roll of paper constituting the recording medium so that the votes may be accurately cast and accurately counted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vote register having the above mentioned characteristics and which is so constructed that if a key is mispositioned through inadvertance, accident or mistake, correction can be made before the permanent record on the recording medium is formed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for automatically restoring all of the keys to their initial positions after the vote has been recorded so that the following voter approaches the machine with all of the keys in their initial positions leaving no indication of how the previous voter has voted and thus preserving the advantages of the secret ballot.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical construction for grouping the keys into groups so that only a predetermined number of keys may be set in each group. For example, if seven persons are running for the same oflices, three of whom are to be elected, a group is formed on the machine of seven keys and mechanical means is provided which permits three and no more keys of the group to be moved from their initial positions to their set positions, thus preventing mistakes and improper casting of votes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will insure that a voter can only vote a single time, that is, his vote can only be permanently recorded once, thus preventing any possibility of having illegal votes recorded and counted.

An object of the invention is also to provide a machine which is so constructed that ofllcials may easily certify that the voting has been properly conducted and that the record is a true record of the votes as cast by the voters.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine which is of simple and durable construction and which cannot get out oforder either through mishandling or attempted tampering and which will adequately serve the purpose for which it was designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention wherein:'

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved vote register.

Fig. 2 is a partial view of a ballot which may be applied to the machine to indicate the names of the persons represented by the keys or the propositions which are represented by keys which are being voted upon.

Fig. 3 is a partial top plan view of the improved machine, parts being broken away and shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section through the improved machine, parts being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a partial view in vertical section through the machine and may be considered as having been taken upon the lines 5--5 upon either Fig. 3 or Fig. '7.

Fig. 6 is another vertical section through a portion of the machine and may be considered as having been taken upon the line 66 upon Fig. '7.

Fig. '1 is a vertical section through the machine, parts being broken away and may be considered as having been taken upon the line '7-'? upon Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken substantially upon line 88 upon Fig. 4.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the vote register comprises a base 10 along the sides of which are arranged two standards 11 and 12 constituting the frame of the machine. These standards are generally in the form of channel members having their flanges extending outwardly. A cover 13 is provided which encloses the mechanism of the machine and this cover is hinged to the base as at 14 at one end and is adapted to be locked in place by means of a lock 15.

Two rollers extend across the machine and are rotatably mounted on the standards 11 and 12, these rollsbeing indicated at 16 and 17, respectively. They are preferably flanged as shown and the roller 16 carries a supply of paper indicated at 18 which, during the operation of the machine is unwound from the roller 16 and wound upon the roller 17. The paper 18 constitutes the recording medium and receives perforations which are arranged in accordance with the positions of the keys which are set by the voter.

A plurality of transverse guide members 19 extend across the machine between the standards 11 and 12. These guide members have ears 20 at their ends which are pivoted as at 21 to the standards. At their bottoms they are provided with flanges 22 which are slightly upwardly inclined.-

The guide members 19 each have a series of vertical slots 23 in which actuating bars 24 are slidable. The actuating bars are shown as all being of the same length and having slots 25 formed in their upper edges at various intervals. As clearly shown upon Fig. 4 these slots are wider at their bottoms than at their entrances so that lugs or webs 26 on the keys 27 may be inserted through the entrances of the slots and upon rotation in the slots they may be locked in place,

thus locking the keys 27 to their respective actuating bars. The keys 27 are of an inverted U- shape in section so that they straddle the top edges of the actuating bars with the lugs or webs 26 being arranged at their forward ends. The bottom edges of the keys are downwardly and rearwardly inclined terminating below the bottom edges of their respective actuating bars so that they will engage the flanges 22 on the guides 19. The tops of the keys 27 extend upwardly through the top of the cover 13 and are disposed in longitudinal slots 23 formed in the cover. By means of this construction of the keys it is possible on removal of the cover 13 to detach any key from its actuating bar and replace it thereon in any position, that is, in any of the other slots 25 desired. Rearward movement of the actuating bars is limited by a stop 29 which may be faced with resilient material such as rubber 30 acting as a bumper. Each actuating bar 24 carries a depending arm 31 near its forward end and a coil spring 32 connects each arm to a transverse member 33, urging each actuating bar 24 rearwardly.

Between the rolls 16 and 17 there is arranged an anvil or die member 34 shown in Fig. 4 as being inverted channel shaped in section. This anvil or die member has a series of perforations or apertures 35 formed therein which may receive the lower ends of punches or perforators 36. The punches or perforators 36 are arranged side by side and are equal in number to the number of actuating bars 24. They are T shaped in elevation and are carried on a frame 37 containing resilient rubber supports 38von which the horizontal portions of the perforators rest.- Metal guides 39 embrace the lower portions of the perforators 36 and serve to guide the perforators into their respective perforations or apertures 35 on the anvil or die member 34. The outwardly extending flanges on the frame 37 are embraced by the ends 40A of a spring member 40 formed of sheet spring steel or equivalent material which is of an inverted U shaped section. At the top of the spring member 40 and on its interior surface there is a hammer or forcing member 41 which is normally held by the spring 40 a predetermined distance above the tops of the perforators 36. The hammer or forcing member has its ends slidably extending th ough ve tical slots 42 in the standards 11 and 12 and is adapted to be moved vertically by means of connecting rods 43 which are fastened to its ends on the outer sides of the standards 11 and 12. Transmitter members 44 are pivoted to the lower ends of the arms 31 carried'by the actuating bars 24 and when properly positioned they serve to transmit forces from the hammer or forcing member 41 to their respective punches or perforators 36. These transmitter members slidably extend through slots 45 formed in the rear side of the spring member 40. They normally assume a position other than under the hammer or forcing member 41 in which position the actuating bars 24 are in their rearmost position. However, when the actuating bars 24 are moved forwardly by the'keys 27 the transmitter members will then assume a position beneath the hammer or forcing member 41 and will serve to transmit the forces and movements of the hammer or forcing member to theirrespective perforators 36. In its normal position the spring member 40 keeps the hammer or forcing member has its ends rotatably mounted in the standards 11 and 12. This rock shaft is located beneath the anvil or die member 34 and carries a hand crank 47 at one end. On each end of the rock shaft 46 there is secured a disc 48 arranged on the outer sides of the standards 11 and 12. The discs have slots 49 formed therein which have the peculiar shapes most clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Pins 50 which are carried by the lower ends of the connecting rods 43 extend outwardly from the connecting rods into the slots 49. The connecting rods 43 are guided by bosses 51 on the standards and on rotation of the rock shaft 46 and the discs 48 vertical movements will be transmitted to the hammer or forcing member 41.

I The major portions of the slots 49 are arranged upon a secant upon the discs terminating at points 52 forming shoulders or projections on the slots from which the slots extend outwardly into portions 53 which are curved having centers of curvature substantially on the longitudinal' axis of the rock shaft 46. This formation of the slots 49 causes the following movement to be imparted to the hammer 41 during rotation of the rock shaft. As the discs 48 are rotated by the rock member engaging the tops of whatever transmitters 44 maybe beneath it. When the transmitters 44 are forced downwardly by the forcing member 41 they engage the tops of their respecj tive perforators 36 forcing these downwardly. The rubbers 38 which support the perforators are compressedand the lower portions of the perforators enter the apertures 35 forming perforations in the paper 18. At the time that the perforators 36 are lowermost the pins 50 are just passing over the shoulders or projections 52 in the slots 49 and continue rotation of the rock shaft and discs allows the pins 50 to pass over the shoulders or projections 52 and the pins will then move upwardly thus releasing and raising the hammer 41, the spring member 40, the frame 37 and the perforators 36. During the remainder of the rotation of the rock shaft 46 and the discs 48 the pins merely pass through the arcuate por tions 53 of the slots 49 without being disturbed and without producing any movement of the perforating mechanism. A link 55 is pivotally connected to the'lower portion of one of the discs 48. The link 55 has its end slotted as at 56 to receive a pin 57 on a depending arm 58 which is loosely mounted on the trunnion 59 which supports one end of the roll 17. A ratchet wheel 60 is rigidly mounted on the trunnion 59 and is adapted to be engaged by the spring actuated pawl 61. A back-up pawl 62 is pivotally mounted on the standard 11 and is engageable with the ratchet wheel 60 to prevent reverse rotation. The length of the slot 56 is such that the link 55 merely slides on the pin 57 without disturbing it while the pins 50 are moving through the substantially straight portions of the slots 49 in the discs 48. When the pins 50 pass over the shoulders or projections 52, however, the pins 57 will have reached the ends of the slots 56 and while the pins 50 are passing through the arcuate portions 53 of the slots 49 the arm 58 will be swung rearwardly sufficient to cause one tooth on the ratchet wheel 60 to pass beneath the back-up pawl 62. This causes the roll 17 to be rotated sufficiently to draw the paper over the die member and thus position a new portion of paper under the perforators 36. When the rock shaft 46 and the discs 48 are returned to their initial positions the opposite end of the slot 56 will engage the pin 57 returning the arm 58 to its initial position and causing the pawl 61 to slip over the next tooth on the ratchet wheel 60.

On the ends of the rock shaft 46 against the outer sides of the discs 48 there are fastened cranks 65 carrying pins 66. The pins 66 slide in slots 67 in reciprocable members 68. The major portions of the slots 67 are arcuate but near their ends these slots straighten as indicated at 69. Studs 70 extend outwardly from the standards 11 and 12 and are slidable in slots 71 in the reciprocable members. These studs serve as guides which guide the reciprocable member 68 in a horizontal direction. Near the tops of the standards 11 and 12 apertured bosses 72 extend outwardly and pins 73 extend outwardly through the slots in the bosses and are connected to the upstanding arms on the reciprocable members 68. Coil springs 74 connect the upstanding arms on the reciprocable members 68 to the standards urging the reciprocable members into their foremost positions. The inner ends of the pins 73 are connected to release bars 75 which are slidable in brackets 76 on the inside surfaces of the standards 11 and 12. The release bars 75 have notches 77 formed in their top edges which receive the lower portions of the guides 19. When the rock shaft is rotated the pins 66 on the cranks 65 pass through the arcuate portions of the slots 67 and during a major portion of the turning of the rock shaft the reciprocable members are not influenced by the pins. As the rock shaft approaches the end of its movement, however, the pins 66 enter the straight portions 69 of the slots moving the reciprocable member rearwardly against the actions of the springs 74. This forces the release bars 75 rearwardly and causes the guides 19 to pivot about their pivots 21 so that the flanges 22 on the guides 19 will be swung downwardly below the bottom edges of the keys 27. In this way the keys on allof the actuating bars 24 will be released and all of the actuating bars with their keys will be returned to their initial positions by means of the springs 32.

Provision is made for grouping the keys and actuating bars into groups, each group represent ing an ofllce for which the candidates represented by the various keys are running. Provision is also made for restricting the number of keys in each group which can be set to a predetermined number. To this end a rod 78 extends longitudinally of the machine and bars 79 are loosely connected to the arms 31 on the actuating bars 24. The bars 79 have slots 80 formed in their rear ends through which the rod 78 extends. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 the rear ends of the bars 79 are materially thickened as indicated at 81. Spacers 82 are disposed on the rod 78 between the various bars 79. Beneath the rod 78 there is a longitudinal rod 83 having a keyway 84 formed therein which is adapted to receive the set screws 85 on the hook shaped division member 86. The division members 86 can be caused to slide to the proper location on the rod 83 in which positions they are adapted to be swung upwardly between spacers 82 and to hook over the rod 78. In such positions the set screws 85 can be screwed into the keyway, the division members having been rotated 180 from the position shown in Fig. 4.

The disc 48 which is on the opposite side of the machine from the crank 47 is provided on its periphery with a series of ratchet teeth 87 which are'engageable by a pawl 88 which is controlled by a lock 89 operable by a key 90. The ratchet teeth and pawl are so ararnged that the rock shaft 46 can be rotated to record the vote but cannot be restored to its initial position until the key 90 is inserted in the lock and pawl 88 caused to disengage the ratchet teeth. A cardboard cover or the like 91 is preferably provided which is adapted to be applied to the top surface of the cover 13 in a suitable manner such as by rivets which are fastened through the cardboard cover and the cover 13. This cardboard cover has candidates of the various parties listed thereon and the candidates for various offices listed thereon with suitable instructions as to how many candidates are to be voted for out of each group. The cardboard cover 91 is slotted as indicated at 92 to receive the upstanding portions of the keys 27. The cardboard cover 91 has only those slots formed therein which are required to receive the keys after they are set for a given election. The unused slots in the top surface of cover 13 are covered by the cardboard cover. It will be understood that in different elections the setting of the keys may vary and the positions of the slots 92 in the cardboard cover will vary in accordance therewith.

The setting, operation and utility of the machine is as follows: when an election is to be held an election ofllcer removes the lock 15 and swings back the cover supplying the machine with a new roll of paper 18 on which the votes are to be recorded. He then positions the keys 27 on their respective actuating bars in the proper positions having all of the keys on all of the machines in their same relative positions. At the same time he shifts the division member 86 along the rod 83 so as to properly group the keys. For example, if four candidates are running for governor he will shift the first division member into the position shown in Fig. 3 grouping the first four actuating bars 24. He then moves one of the first four actuating bars forwardly into its set position and pushes the division member 86 toward the standard 12 so as to snugly enclose the bars '79 and spacers 82 between the division member and the boss 93 which extends inwardly from the standard 12 to the first bar '79. The ofiicer moves only one key of this group forwardly while setting the division member 86 because only one candidate is to be elected governor.v In a similar manner other groups may be formed on the machine such as for example, if seven candidates are running for county supervisor and three of the seven are to be elected the next division members 86 will be caused to en close or group seven of the bars '79 while three of the actuating bars 24 of the group are in theirforward or set positions. After the machines have been thus set the cards 91 are applied to the covers 13 and the covers are swung downwardly onto the base 10 and locked in place. The machines are then distributed to the various precincts or districts. When the polls are opened the officials in charge of the precinct unlock the lock 15 and lift back the'cover signing the paper 18 on the roll 17, certifying that the machine is in proper order and in the condition in which they received it from the oiiicial who set the ma chine. A voter on entering the booth sets the various keys in accordance with the vote which he desires to cast by taking one of the keys representing a candidate for governor and moving it toward the right. It is impossible for the voter to vote for two candidates for governor as only one candidate can be elected. If the voter should attempt to advance or set two keys representing candidates for governor the thickened portions on the ends of the bars '79 will prevent the actuating bars 24 and keys from being moved forwardly as the division members have been so set that the spacers 82 will only permit one bar '79 to be moved forwardly. In moving the keys 2'7 forwardly'the actuating bars 24 are moved forwardly a suificient distance so that the keys which straddle the actuating bars will move beyond the edges of the flanges 22 wherein the keys will drop slightly so that their lower and rear corners will engage the flanges 22 holding the actuating bars in their set positions against the action of the springs 32. If the voter has accidentally set the wrong key or desires to change his vote before recording it he can release the actuating bar by lifting upwardly on the key which lifts the bottom of the key above the flange 22 permitting the actuating bar and key to be restored to its initial position under the action of the coil spring 32. It is obvious that if one of the keys representing a candidate for governor has been set and then restored to its initial position that the thickened portion on its bar 79 will have moved rearwardly from between the spacers to allow a single other bar '79 to be moved forwardly between them. In this manner although the voter can change his vote from the original setting of the key he will be prevented from voting for more than the predetermined number of candidates. In a like manner only three of the seven candidates for county supervisor can be voted for although the voter can change his mind or change the setting of any three keys. After the voter has set all of the keys in accordance with the vote which he desires to cast he then grasps the crank 4'7 and swings it downwardly. This causes the perforators 36 to perforate the paper 18 with perforations which are arranged in accordance with his vote, forming a permanent record of the vote which the voter desires to I cast as previously explained. The swinging of the handle downwardly also causes the perforators 36 and frame 37 to disengage the paper as the paper is perforated and causes the paper to be advanced for the next voter. Also the swinging of the handle 4'7 downwardly causes the reciprocating members 68 to be moved rearwardly actuating the release bars '75 which tilt all of the guides 19 releasing all of the keys and allowing all of the actuating bars 24 to be restored to their initial positions. The voter cannot restore the crank 47 to its initial position because of the pawl 88 engaging the ratchet teeth 87. When he has recorded his vote the voter then so advises the voting official in charge of the precinct who then inserts his key 90 into the lock and causes the pawl 88 to disengage the ratchet teeth 87 permitting the crank 47 to be restored to its initial position for the next voter. This construction prevents a single voter from voting more than once and thus stufling the ballot box. After the polls are closed and all of the votes have been thus recorded on the paper 18 the oflicials in charge of the precinct unlock the lock 15 and lift back the cover 13 signing the roll of paper 18. With their signatures at the beginning and at the end of the paper 18 the officials in charge of the precinct certify that the voting was done in the legal and correct manner and all of the per forations between their signatures properly indicate the votes which the voters desire to cast. The roll of paper can then be removed from the machine and transmitted to a central office where it can be placed on a counting machine of any conventional or suitable construction which will total up accurately and quickly all of the votes recorded for the various candidates. As the perforations are made in the paper very accurately insofar as their positions on the paper are concerned the counting machine may accurately and quickly count all of the votes without error thus enabling a quick return to be made which is without error. After the paper 18 has been run through the counting machine it may be preserved permanently in the event that there is any question about the election. Furthermore as the perforations are relatively small this construction enables the record of all of the votes cast to be permanently kept with the paper occupying a minimum amount of storage space.

From the above described construction it will be appreciated that a novel and advantageous vote register is provided which preserves the advantages of the secret ballot and insures that votes can be easily and quickly cast without error or fraud and enables a permanent, accurate record to be formed which can be easily handled for counting purposes. Furthermore the machine is relatively simple and of durable construction and is adjustable so that it can be used in various elections. Lastly the improved machine is relatively inexpensive in its construction as it does not have all of the necessary mechanism for counting the votes. Only a single machine need be provided in a very large district for counting the votes and records can be transmitted thereto and quickly and accurately counted.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vote recorder comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable actuating bars adapted to be set in accordance with the vote desired to be cast, means for recording on a recording medium which actuating bars have been set, keys by which the actuating bars may be set mounted for pivotal movement upon the actuating bars and stop means into engagement with which the keys are capable of swinging to hold the actuating bars in set position, said keys being capable of being shifted out of engagement with the stop means enabling the actuating bars to be restored to their initial positions prior to recording in the event of error.

2. A vote recorder comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable actuating bars adapted to be set in accordance with the vote desired to be cast, means for recording on a recording medium which actuating bars have been set, keys by which the actuating bars may be set mounted for pivotal movement upon the actuating bars, stop means into engagement with which the keys are capable of swinging to hold the actuating bars in set position, and means for moving the stop means out of engagement with the keys to enable the actuating bars to be restored to their initial positions after their set positions have been recorded.

3. A vote recorder comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable actuating bars adapted to be set in accordance with the vote desired to be cast, means for recording on a recording medium which actuating bars have been set, keys by which the actuating bars may be set mounted for pivotal movement upon the actuating bars, and stop means into engagement with which the keys are capable of swinging to hold the actuating bars in set position, said keys being longitudinally adjustable on their respective actuating bars so as to be capable of assuming either of a plurality of positions thereon, there being a stop means adapted to be engaged by the keys in either of said positions.

4. In a voting machine having means for recording the votes set, a plurality of longitudinally movable bars, keys by which the bars may be set, said keys being of inverted U shaped form adapted to be mounted upon the bars in straddled position, and means engageable with the keys for holding the bars in set positions, said means being movable to release the keys after the vote has been recorded.

5. In a voting machine, a plurality of longitudinally movable bars, spring means urging the bars into iniital positions, keys by which the bars may be set in accordance with the desired vote movably mounted upon the bars, means engageable by moving the keys relatively to the bars after the bars have been set to hold the bars in set positions, said means being movable after recording the vote to release the keys and permit the spring means to return the bars to their initial positions.

6. In a voting machine, a plurality of longitudinally movable bars, keys adjustable along the lengths of the bars, a housing having a slotted top through which the keys may project, there being suflicient slots to accommodate the keys in all of their adjusted positions, and a cover for the top having slots for the reception of the keys as adjusted for a particular election by serving to conceal the unused slots in the top.

EDWARD B. HOWELL. 

